Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work and play.

We believe an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• Local andouille maker Bailey’s, which recently announced a partnership with Rouses Supermarkets that will put their Cajun Creole Roux mix on more store shelves in the region. The mix will be found in 17 Rousses markets, as well as other small stores in the region.

• The St. Charles Parish ProStart Career Center, which is helping St. Charles Parish high school students gain some valuable future job experience in the classroom. The career center recently held a banquet day, where the students were the chefs and the servers.

• The Rotary Club of St. Charles, for sponsoring another successful Alligator Festival at the foot of the Hale Boggs Bridge in Luling last weekend. The festival is the largest in St. Charles Parish and serves as the largest fundraiser for the Rotary Club.

• Representatives with the Motiva Convent Refinery in St. James Parish, who celebrated the opening of the refinery’s new central control center. The 25,000 square foot facility consolidates and updates the refinery’s control stations.